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2018 Year in Review: Part III (September– December)

PCC Director of TRiO Programs Travis Kinsey (center) says the “IamFirstGen Campaign" is a celebration of first-generation college students, like Antwanique Ham (left) and Tonaria Powell. The students, clad in their "I'm First" t-shirts promoting the campaign, are the first members of their respective families to go to college. Both Greenville residents, Ham and Powell have been taking college courses at PCC for the past several years through their enrollment in the Pitt County Schools Early College High School. Now ECHS seniors, Ham is well on her way toward a four-year business degree, while Powell is making steady progress on an Associate in Science Degree from PCC’s University Transfer program.

WINTERVILLE—Though a natural disaster in September caused hardships throughout eastern North Carolina, there was still much to celebrate at Pitt Community College during the final four months of 2018.

In the final of three segments recapping the previous year at PCC, many highlights revolve around one of three themes: Hurricane Florence recovery, student completion of educational goals, and successful fundraising in support of programs and services.

September

• Sheila Turnage, a PCC creative writing student and New York Times bestselling author, publishes “The Law of Finders Keepers” to close out her Mo & Dale Mysteries series.
• Library renovations are taking longer than anticipated due to a scheduling issue with a subcontractor.
• Approximately 350 students receive sound money management advice by attending a Financial Wellness Expo on campus.
• Counselors help students and employees affected by Hurricane Florence recover through their Student Assistance Program, which includes an on-campus food pantry.
• The PCC Technical Academy gives students from Ayden-Grifton and South Central high schools an opportunity to earn college credits and workforce credentials in Computer Integrated Machining and HVAC.
• Kerri Brooks, Xiomary Casias and Monique Rascoe receive State Employees’ Credit Union Continuing Education Scholarships worth $750.
• Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) students Shelley Freeman and George Cherry travel to New Bern with PTK Advisor Joy Moses-Hall to help a former PTK member at a nearby community college clean up her flood-damaged home.

October

• TRiO’s yearlong “IamFirstGen Campaign” aims to build a stronger first-generation campus community at PCC.
• The college receives $35,000 through North Carolina’s new Finish Line Grant Program to help students facing unforeseen financial emergencies continue enrollment and complete programs of study.
• Pitt County Sheriff’s deputies introduce K-9 partners, Keno and Rocky, while speaking with criminal justice students about their unit’s role with the department.
• PCC Career Services partners with Vidant Health on a ‘meet-and-greet’ for students interested in information technology volunteer positions.
• The PCC Foundation wraps up its employee annual fund drive, having raised nearly $98,000 in a month.
• PCC’s Foreign Language Department celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with an event that features dancing and cultural exhibits.
• The State Board of Community Colleges makes $4.9 million available to assist students at PCC and 20 other community colleges affected by Hurricane Florence.
• The National College Learning Center Association honors PCC’s Tutorial and Academic Success Center for excellence.
• PCC and East Carolina University (ECU) partner with JCPenney on an exclusive shopping event to benefit students preparing for upcoming job searches.
• The PCC Symphony Orchestra brings hurricane relief supplies to New Bern, where they perform a concert for the beleaguered community.
• In addition to food and games, Fall Fest ’18 features a competition that results in students and employees donating more than 800 cans of food to the PCC Food Pantry.
• Trustees present a plaque to President Emeritus G. Dennis Massey in recognition of 15 years of exemplary service.
• Students create t-shirt designs that draw awareness to domestic violence as part of “The Clothesline Project,” which takes place on the final day of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• During the PCC Alumni Association’s annual awards ceremony, Outstanding Alumni Awards are presented to Touhida Zannat and Matthew Grace, a Young Alumni Award is given to Amira Ali, and an Employee Alumni Award goes to Mecca Waller.
• A “Part-Time Job Fair” gives nearly 400 students an opportunity to speak with 25 area employers about more than 55 part-time jobs.

November

• The PCC Foundation Down East Holiday Show draws 11,000 shoppers and raises nearly $133,000 for student scholarships and educational activities.
• Under the direction of Coach Katelynn Speas, PCC Volleyball goes 18-6 and finishes third in the Region X Carolina/Virginia Conference.
• During the 3rd Annual Construction and Industrial Technology Career Fair, 32 employers discuss more than 70 job and internship opportunities with students.
• The 21st Annual PCC Veterans Salute features Major Andrew J. D’Antoni with ECU’s Army ROTC program stressing the need for a renewed spirit of patriotism among Americans.
• The Minority Male Success Initiative Scholarship is helping students overcome financial barriers that hinder their pursuit of higher education. The funds are used to purchase everything from gas cards and textbooks to meals and bus passes.
• PCC alumnus Kip Sloan competes in the N.C. Senior State Games 10K cycling race.
• PCC cuts the ribbon on its newly-renovated health sciences facilities, which include a 10-bed simulation hospital, hot lab, and classrooms and laboratories for several programs.

December

• The PCC Center for Student Activities holds a 5K race to generate revenue for student clubs and organizations.
• Student Development Services teams up with ECU on an admissions and recruitment event in West Greenville.
• The PCC Symphony Orchestra and PCC Chorale perform their annual holiday concert.
• The PCC Men’s Resource Center concludes its ‘No-Shave November’ fundraiser by presenting a $1,105-check to the American Cancer Society’s McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge.
• The N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) recognizes Vice President of Academic Affairs Thomas Gould’s work on the 2014 Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between NCCCS and the University of North Carolina System.
• Spring ’19 registration resumes. Administrators announce that while the college is closed for the holidays, students with approved Student Education Plans can register and pay for classes using PCC’s online registration and payment services.
• PTK wraps up its hurricane relief efforts for nearby Craven Community College with a delivery of supplies.
• The PCC Athletics team bus is looking sharp with new Bulldog graphics.
• Minority males from four Pitt County high schools visit campus for the 2nd Annual Males Addressing Issues and Needs (M.A.I.N.) Summit. The program includes presentations and workshops on financial literacy, setting goals and building character.


01/04/2019